Femme Frugalityhttps://femmefrugality.com
Saving money for students, mommies & daddies, brides, and Pittsburghers.Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:44:12 +0000en-US
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3232Femmefrugalityhttps://feedburner.google.comIncome Chart Updates & Harvest Seasonhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Femmefrugality/~3/HAEoZlo7UyY/
https://femmefrugality.com/income-chart-updates-harvest-season/#respondMon, 02 Sep 2019 12:43:23 +0000https://femmefrugality.com/?p=8897I have such great news! In my third month of doing my ambitious income goal charts, I actually met my pretty ambitious goal! I count the income I book and earn rather than the income I receive as I have far more control over the former. This was a really good feeling, and one I’mContinue Reading »

]]>I have such great news! In my third month of doing my ambitious income goal charts, I actually met my pretty ambitious goal! I count the income I book and earn rather than the income I receive as I have far more control over the former.

This was a really good feeling, and one I’m hoping to achieve next month with my Kesha/H.E.R-inspired income goal chart. I created it in honor of the two songs I couldn’t stop listening to in August: RWSM and Lord is Coming. Once I get these goals met on a consistent basis, I’ll be upping them until I get to my calculated “enough” number.

Harvest Season

If you’re wondering what changed, ultimately meeting my goal this month came down to a few happy surprises I had planted earlier in the year.

Investing Time in Future Work

I’m a contractor, which means my work and pay is inherently variable. I’ve learned over the years to never take for granted the times of feast, as there’s always a famine coming around the corner. Often when you least expect it.

Earlier in the year, when work was steady and almost something close to predictable, I started feeling uncomfortable. I knew this feeling of routine wasn’t permanent, so I started keeping an eye out for new opportunities. In one case, I even reached out to a friend who was kind enough to set me up with someone they knew was hiring.

Because I started those conversations in the Spring, I’ve been able to phase in new clients at an unrushed pace, smoothing out a lot of the bumps in the road I would have hit otherwise.

I’m so glad I started planting then. My life has been a lot less hectic because of it.

Unpaid Work

Another frustrating thing about freelancing is that sometimes you end up being at the short end of the stick as far as on-time payments go. This does not apply to my long-term clients; if it did they wouldn’t be my long-term clients.

Earlier in 2019, before I started creating my income goal charts, I did a couple projects with organizations I was expecting to pay on time. They expected them to pay on time. There was some sort of glitch and that didn’t happen, in one case. I don’t know what happened in the others.

I did eventually get paid, but it took a while. Since I wasn’t sure when these payments would be coming in, I didn’t count them as expected/earned income when I was making my charts. When they did come in, they were a happy surprise that boosted me over the edge.

Moving Forward with Income Goals

I’d like to hit this number every month! I’d like to get it consistent enough that I can up my income goals even higher. I’m glad I’ve had a chance to harvest the opportunities of early 2019, and I’m also looking forward to new opportunities as I head off to FinCon.

]]>https://femmefrugality.com/income-chart-updates-harvest-season/feed/0https://femmefrugality.com/income-chart-updates-harvest-season/I launched a thing.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Femmefrugality/~3/zJ535Hun9-8/
https://femmefrugality.com/personal-finance-by-women/#commentsFri, 30 Aug 2019 14:12:41 +0000https://femmefrugality.com/?p=8892I’ve been hinting to you guys for months that I’ve got something fun rolled up my sleeves. Well, today’s the day I finally get to tell you what it is! Personal Finance by Women In the independent financial media space, we’re a little more than 50% female. I think that justifies accurate gender representation whenContinue Reading »

I’ve been hinting to you guys for months that I’ve got something fun rolled up my sleeves.

Well, today’s the day I finally get to tell you what it is!

Personal Finance by Women

In the independent financial media space, we’re a little more than 50% female. I think that justifies accurate gender representation when it comes to publishing opportunities, speaking gigs and features. I think that means we ‘ve got plenty of people with lived experience speaking to the issues of women’s finances that hiring those without to pontificate on the topic isn’t always going to bring you the best perspective and information.

Because I think all this, I thought it was time to launch Personal Finance by Women. Apparently a lot of other people think the same thing. Since its launch two days ago, Personal Finance by Women has tripled its membership — I’m still uploading profiles! And that was just from a couple mentions in online networking groups.

What does Personal Finance by Women do?

Personal Finance by Women is a social entrepreneurship venture which believes that just because you center the most intersectional of stories doesn’t mean you have to be a charity. There is value in these financial experiences, which contain something to be learned by all.

It’s not about helping anyone; it’s about empowering everyone.

To achieve this, we’re going to have lots of projects including:

Publishing and syndication of money stories centering intersectional writers who are paid fairly for their content.

A source list for journalists attempting gender diversity in their sourcing efforts.

Service projects and initiatives in our membership’s various local communities.

Hashtags on Insta and Twitter featuring members’ content and further bolstering community.

How can I support Personal Finance by Women?

As I mentioned above, this is a social entrepreneurship venture — not a 501(c)(3). That means that while monetary support doesn’t get you a tax deduction, it does potentially get you other perks.

For example, those who support Personal Finance by Women stories through IndieGoGo receive sponsorship perks when content goes live.

Those who become Early Access Subscribers on Patreon will receive access to original Personal Finance by Women content 24 hours prior to its public release.

You can also support by participating as a member, taking advantage of the fact that membership is currently free during launch. If you want to join as an ally, we’ll talk about how you can best support the initiatives we’re currently running. If you want to join as a woman or non-binary individual, we’re excited to check out your work!

]]>https://femmefrugality.com/personal-finance-by-women/feed/2https://femmefrugality.com/personal-finance-by-women/The Costs of Performing Femininityhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Femmefrugality/~3/tn3bBRDarT0/
https://femmefrugality.com/femininity-value-costs/#commentsTue, 20 Aug 2019 17:44:44 +0000https://femmefrugality.com/?p=8879Last week, someone said something to me that stuck with me. It was hurtful, but the person meant it as a compliment. The words were not this eloquent, but essentially they told me the same thing my grandma told me back in 2004 when I attended her milestone birthday party: “You clean up nice.” WhenContinue Reading »

]]>Last week, someone said something to me that stuck with me. It was hurtful, but the person meant it as a compliment. The words were not this eloquent, but essentially they told me the same thing my grandma told me back in 2004 when I attended her milestone birthday party:

“You clean up nice.”

When my grandmother said it, it made sense. I was a teenager who usually dressed in ripped up jeans, a hoodie and a beanie. To see me in full business casual was probably a legitimate shock.

But this person last week — I don’t feel like the similar comment was as justified. I’ve been “cleaned up” around this person before, and the way it was worded made me feel like my worth to this person was intricately tied to how much makeup I had on or the amount of jewelry that adorned my collarbone.

Without it, I wasn’t quite enough.

Performing Femininity

I was aware how much of a show getting girly was at a very young age. When I was a child, I loved playing baseball with the boys, hated brushing my hair and loved hanging out with the people I cared about. Eventually, cultural pressure kicked in and I switched over to the softball team. I started brushing my tangly hair on the regular. I don’t regret the latter.

When I was a teen, I learned to perform femininity to gain social acceptance. I am a cis woman, and I do feel better about myself when I’m all dolled up. Whether that’s because it’s what makes me happy or because it makes society treat me better I still have yet to figure out.

It’s inconvenient. It’s time consuming. And comes with other costs. Back in those days when I shocked the elderly by dressing up for birthday parties, I came across this quote that really struck me:

Femininity is not made for comfort or movement; it is made to accentuate the sexualization of a woman’s body — and that’s why things like holding the door open (so she doesn’t dirty her white gloves or expensive manicure,) pulling her chair out (so she doesn’t have to awkwardly move a bulky piece of furniture and risk getting it caught on her skirt or stockings and ripping something,) or holding her coat (so she doesn’t have to reach around and risk ripping the tight seams in her shoulder or upper back) are necessary to me, as an acknowledgement of how restrictive femininity can be, and of how difficult it is to walk around in these clothes, as a celebration of the beauty of femininity on the body, and with deep respect for the courage to costume and perform femme to begin with.

I’m not saying everything in that quote is morally right. Or that those who spoke the words are infallible human beings. Just that it was a thought that really made me think over the past 17 years.

There are those routine costs, too. The cost of makeup. The cost of clothing and unmentionables. Overpriced shoes that kill your feet.

As you’re getting ready for the day, the most feminine look is going to take the longest to apply — at least if we’re assuming femininity is defined by our society rather than us as individuals. When time is money, women are either waking up earlier to get ready for the day or spending time getting “pretty” when they could be working and bringing in an income. I’m aware the latter is a strawman’s argument, but this is a PF blog. Time is money is an important theme in our discourses.

Then there are the more dire costs of performing femininity as society defines it. Body image issues. Self-hatred and the need to address the mental health issues that come along with not being “enough.” Eating disorders. Potential of death if you take things too far.

Abandoning Aspects of Femme

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten far more comfortable in my own skin. I do feel better about myself when I’m dressed to the nines, but I’ve also started actually believing that my value is not tied to how well I perform femininity. Despite what the world may tell me.

When I landed in Boise, I spotted this mug at my friend’s house. The timing, y’all. Also this is why we’ve been friends forever.

I tried to wear heels a couple times after I had kids. I couldn’t wear them when I was pregnant because I’m super klutzy and would have fallen as my center of balance adjusted to my changing body. When I tried to resume the practice, it invariably ended in tears of pain. Eventually, I gave them up. Yes, I’m short. Yes, heels make me look even more bomb than I already am. But they’re not a necessary part of my femininity.

I am more than enough without them.

I’m also a remote worker. That means I don’t have to get dressed up to go into work. It’s beautiful, really. I’m crazy lucky I can work in yoga pants without makeup on while earning a decent income.

Why do I do it without makeup on? Why don’t I put on real clothes while I’m clacking away at the keyboard in my own living room?

Because I am more than enough without it. And yoga pants are freaking comfortable.

Also, my skin looks awesome when I don’t wear makeup for a few days. So there’s that.

I’m leaving on a jet plane.

Yesterday I flew into Boise for a book signing. Usually when I fly, I do the yoga pants or leggings thing. I try not to look trashy, but I’m also not trying to get all made up when I know I’m going to look a hot mess after 12 hours of travel.

But the comments from last week left me feeling insecure. I really respected this person and thought their respect for me was a little deeper than the jewelry I was wearing or the way I did my hair on any given day. Complimenting femininity is great, but when the largest part of your value as a human being is attributed to your external presentation at any given second, it’s more than demoralizing.

So before I hopped on the plane, I got all dolled up. Full makeup. Girly clothes. Later, I even put on a bracelet and necklace.

Did I regret it?

Totally.

I wasn’t comfortable. My makeup melted throughout the day as I ensured I made flights, tried to catch up on edits on layovers and dragged my two bags throughout the entire airport because I’m too cheap to check.

While I had worked so hard to get “presentable,” the drunk dude sitting next to me and elbowing me throughout the entire flight stank to high hell. Reminding me that the standards for me and this guy were so far away from each other.

I’m going to continue performing femininity. I like the way it makes me feel. I like that people treat me better when I put on the costume. But just like the heels and the yoga pants, I’m not going to bother myself with it when it’s not worth it anymore. The next time I hop on a jet plane, I’m not going to perform anything. I’m just going to be me.

Because with or without makeup and stilettos, I’m plenty enough. Despite the economic realities our society places on us when we don’t conform, you are enough, too. I see you, and your value as a human being doesn’t go up just because you put on a costume.

]]>https://femmefrugality.com/femininity-value-costs/feed/2https://femmefrugality.com/femininity-value-costs/Easy Peasy Low-Cost Life Insurancehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Femmefrugality/~3/OlTCVfDQpNs/
https://femmefrugality.com/low-cost-term-life-insurance/#respondMon, 12 Aug 2019 09:01:21 +0000https://femmefrugality.com/?p=8867Disclosure: This post was made in paid partnership with Bestow. Neither Bestow nor North American Company for Life and Health Insurance were involved in the preparation of the information in this article. The opinions and ideas expressed in the article are those of the author(s) and are not promoted or endorsed by Bestow or NorthContinue Reading »

]]>Disclosure: This post was made in paid partnership with Bestow. Neither Bestow nor North American Company for Life and Health Insurance were involved in the preparation of the information in this article. The opinions and ideas expressed in the article are those of the author(s) and are not promoted or endorsed by Bestow or North American. You should always seek professional advice before making a financial decision.

When I got my life insurance policy, I had a
nurse come into my home. She took my weight, drew my blood and went over a long
and complex form with me, assessing my physical and mental health.

It wasn’t a particularly convenient or fun
experience.

But if you’re looking at purchasing a term life insurance policy today, you’ve got options. If you qualify, you could get a policy for as little as $5/month from Bestow. No medical tests. Easy questionnaire. And the entire process takes less than ten minutes.

I gave the platform a whirl myself, though I
did not qualify for a policy. I have a couple preexisting conditions, so that’s
not a huge surprise. These are low-cost policies, which will often mean they’re
available to those who do not have many “negative” marks on their medical
history.

There were seven sections of the application,
reviewing basics like name and address all the way through lifestyle decisions,
physical health, mental health and income information. From here, you’ll either
be rejected or offered a final rate. Policies start at just $5/month, and are
underwritten by North American Company for Life and Health Insurance®.

What should I look for in an
insurance company?

When you’re shopping for an insurance company,
you want to be as sure as possible that the company will be able to pay out
your benefits should you ever need to make a claim. You can do this by looking
up its rating with an insurance rating agency. Scores operate similarly to the
grades you received in high school; the closer to an A++, the better. Companies
with lower ratings are less likely to be able to actually pay out the claims.

North American Company for Life and Health
Insurance has an A+ rating from AM Best, and Bestow administers their policies
online.

Why do you need life
insurance?

There are many reasons you might need life
insurance. You may want to provide for you family in the event of your death,
aiming to leave them with enough money for the kids to attend college and to
replace your income for several years as they adjust to lacking your income or
work as a homemaker.

Of course, the primary thing you want to get
them through is the mourning process. Giving them time to handle the emotional
waves that come along with grief is perhaps one of the greatest gifts of all.

You may want to support a partner or parent in
the event of your death, which is another reason to take out a life insurance
policy.

Why don’t I have to submit
any medical records?

Bestow pulls your data as you give it
permission to do so as a part of the application process. It pulls your health
data and prescriptions in this way. Then it goes through an algorithm which
decides if you qualify for coverage.

What else should I know
before I use Bestow as my life insurance provider?

If you get a 20-year term policy from Bestow, you must be age 21-45. The other policies offered are 2-year or 10-year term policies, and you must be between the ages of 21-55 in order to qualify.

You will not be approved if you have any of
these disqualifiers:

Heart disease

Stroke

Cancer—unless it’s basal or squamous cell skin cancer

Organ transplant

Diabetes before age 40—unless it was gestational diabetes

Alcohol and/or drug abuse

HIV

Undergoing dialysis

As long as none of the above apply to you and you fall within the age limits, you may qualify. Finding out is as easy as applying online, and shouldn’t take you more than ten minutes.

Have you
purchased life insurance? What was your experience? Let us know in the
comments!

]]>https://femmefrugality.com/low-cost-term-life-insurance/feed/0https://femmefrugality.com/low-cost-term-life-insurance/Ticks, Income Goal Updates & Awardshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Femmefrugality/~3/OpIEL0A3CMQ/
https://femmefrugality.com/income-goal-chart-8-19/#commentsMon, 05 Aug 2019 16:09:07 +0000https://femmefrugality.com/?p=8858I have so many posts bouncing around in my head ready to write for you guys. There’s so much I want to tell you, so many ideas I want to bounce off of you and so many new things I’m learning about that I can’t wait to share. But I’ve been a little off kilterContinue Reading »

]]>I have so many posts bouncing around in my head ready to write for you guys. There’s so much I want to tell you, so many ideas I want to bounce off of you and so many new things I’m learning about that I can’t wait to share.

But I’ve been a little off kilter lately.

Lyme Disease

I was recently diagnosed with Lyme disease. So I’ve been incredibly tired, among other symptoms. All those symptoms have kept me from getting things done the way I wanted to after I got home from some recent travels, which I swear I will tell you about soon.

I don’t think it’s anything to worry about long-term. They caught it super early and I’ve been religious about taking the meds. I should know in a couple weeks just based on the way I feel, but I will of course pursue lab testing, too, to ensure it’s gone.

Income Chart Update

Last month I showed you my new income charts with ambitious goals. If you remember, in June I did quite well, falling just short of my pie-in-the-sky goal.

My goal for July was a bit more ambitious–mostly because I accidentally drew too many boxes. Here’s how I did:

Womp, womp.

So I didn’t quite reach it. Which I realize looks *real* great when displayed within those now-ironically confident Cardi B lyrics.

But I didn’t do horribly. It’s still higher than my monthly average was before. Just not as crazy great as June. This is freelancing. Ups and downs are natural.

For August, I counted the boxes right and am injecting some Beyonce into my motivational progress chart:

Note: Not actually seeking any type of revenge for anything. ATM.

Awards

This weekend I received some great news. Thanks to all of you who voted, The Feminist Financial Handbookhas been nominated as a Plutus finalist for Best New Personal Finance Book. I cannot tell you how immensely grateful I am–THANK YOU!

I was honored to see that the Intersectional Finances series was once against nominated as a finalist for Best Series: Blog, Podcast or Video. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the series, you should know it is not written by me. Instead, it is written entirely by a group of phenomenal contributors. Go check it out and then check out more of these writers’ work.

If you’d like to contribute to the award-nominated series, get in touch. Submissions are open and rolling!

I also received another piece of news I wasn’t expecting: I was nominated for the Biggest Impact Award, which is a new Plutus category this year. Completely humbled to be up there with a group of such great women! And yes–all the nominees are women!

]]>https://femmefrugality.com/income-goal-chart-8-19/feed/4https://femmefrugality.com/income-goal-chart-8-19/10 Signs You May Need Debt Counsellinghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Femmefrugality/~3/OqLAdzLIkII/
https://femmefrugality.com/10-signs-you-may-need-debt-counselling/#respondSat, 03 Aug 2019 20:56:15 +0000https://femmefrugality.com/?p=8886It’s become all too common for people to suffer from a huge amount of debt, but at what point does it become a serious problem that you need to tackle? Keep reading to get familiar with the warning signs that tell you when to get debt counselling as a Canadian and begin working towards aContinue Reading »

]]>It’s become all too common for people to suffer from a huge amount of debt, but at what point does it become a serious problem that you need to tackle? Keep reading to get familiar with the warning signs that tell you when to get debt counselling as a Canadian and begin working towards a debt-free life.

1. Late on bill payments.

Are your bills increasingly piling up one after the other? Are you finding yourself behind on making payments? Don’t let this become a regular habit – the longer you leave bills unpaid, the more you will be charged in late fees, making it harder and harder to pay them off.

2. Inability to save money.

Have you opened up a savings account but
unable to keep any or very little money in there? If you want to save money but
find yourself unable to, it might just be because your money is tied up
elsewhere in loans and late payments.

3. Using credit for monthly expenses.

If you’re using a credit card to pay for
your groceries and other necessities like fuel because you have to (not because
you want the cash back) then you may be in over your head. This kind of living
is nowhere near sustainable.

4. Borrowing more to pay off debt.

It’s a vicious cycle when you need to
borrow more money to pay off existing loans. This is perhaps one of the most
obvious signs that you need debt counselling.

5. Getting calls from collection agencies.

Does the sound of the phone ringing make
you cringe? If you’re avoiding calls from collection
agencies, then it’s because you’re in rough financial shape and are truly
in need of help.

6. Losing sleep at night.

Money troubles are a leading cause of why
people experience stress. If you’re lying awake at night thinking about money,
then it’s because you have a reason to be worried.

7. Lack of a healthy budget.

Ideally, everyone should set themselves a monthly
budget in order to maintain financial well-being. Budgets help you spend
within your limits and reduce your chances of getting into debt.

8. Spending beyond your means.

One of the sure signs of someone in need of
debt counselling is when they are consistently spending more than they make.
This kind of lifestyle is unsustainable and will quickly spiral you into debt.

9. Only making the minimum payment.

Making minimum payments on your credit card
every month on time will help your credit rating but it isn’t enough to pay
back what you owe. Eventually, the interest will catch up with you and you’ll
just dig yourself even deeper into a hole that’s difficult to get yourself out
of without help.

10. Living off overdraft or a line of credit.

An overdraft or line
of credit should typically only be used in the case of emergency, not for
daily expenses. If you find yourself needing to dip into these financial safety
nets regularly then you might just be in a situation where you need help.

Talk to a Credit Counsellor

If you can relate to any of these ten items then it might be time to get the help you need. Certified Credit Counsellors in Canada are understanding and non-judgemental, and they’ll work with you to create a plan to get you back on track.

]]>https://femmefrugality.com/10-signs-you-may-need-debt-counselling/feed/0https://femmefrugality.com/10-signs-you-may-need-debt-counselling/Upcoming Live Events with Femme Frugalityhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Femmefrugality/~3/qZG4uiROPqQ/
https://femmefrugality.com/live-events-2019/#commentsSun, 28 Jul 2019 01:44:03 +0000https://femmefrugality.com/?p=8852I’ve been a little bit of everywhere lately, and I’m happy to say my feet have more ground to tread in the near future. View this post on Instagram A big thank you to everyone who came out to @shermansbooks for the book signing yesterday! I ❤ you, MDI! . . #personalfinancebywomen #FeministFinancialHandbook #BarHarbor #mountdesertislandContinue Reading »

This past week, I had a book signing on the beautiful island of Mount Deseret, hosted by Sherman’s of Bar Harbor. It’s an amazing bookstore right there downtown. If you go to visit now, you just may be able to grab one of the signed copies I left behind. There are limited quantities, though!

Upcoming Live Events

Like I said, there are more places to catch me in the near future. Here are the dates and locations I currently have on the books.

ABLE Accounts at FinCon

This year, I’m super excited to be speaking with Paul Curley–founder of The 529 Conference–and Sarah Pennington of ABLEnow about ABLE accounts at FinCon. If you want to buff up on what exactly an ABLE account is before the conference, you can do so here, along with learning about how to invest in one. If you have your own ABLE story, share it with the ABLE NRC by July 31, 2019.

The Finances of Raising a Special Needs Child

Mamas Talk Money is an online summit put on by the brilliant Chelsea Brennan. With speakers tackling topics like career, business and wealth, it will be held October 21-24, 2019. And you can access it from anywhere!

I’ll be presenting on personal finances for parents of special needs children. We’ll talk ABLE accounts, but we’ll also be touching on subjects such as healthcare coverage, budgeting challenges and challenges in your career.

Coming soon to a city near you?

If you’re interested in attending a book signing in your own neck of the woods or are in need of a speaker at your next event, contact me! I’d love to make something happen.

]]>https://femmefrugality.com/live-events-2019/feed/2https://femmefrugality.com/live-events-2019/Abundance Mindset & Income Goal Chartshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Femmefrugality/~3/BSGUSbs_LTc/
https://femmefrugality.com/abundance-mindset-income-goal-charts/#commentsTue, 09 Jul 2019 20:49:41 +0000https://femmefrugality.com/?p=8823Long-time readers will remember that I have, at times, struggled with the scarcity mindset. Recently, I discovered that as much as I thought I had moved on from it, I hadn’t. Since the divorce, I’ve been operating from a place of survival again. I had thrown a lot of money at trying to save things,Continue Reading »

]]>Long-time readers will remember that I have, at times, struggled with the scarcity mindset. Recently, I discovered that as much as I thought I had moved on from it, I hadn’t.

Since the divorce, I’ve been operating from a place of survival again. I had thrown a lot of money at trying to save things, and have had a hard time getting back to a place where I’m comfortable. I feel like I’m running on a treadmill. It doesn’t matter how fast I run or how many calories I burn; at the end of the day, I’m still in the same place.

One day while listening to Lizzo, I decided to do something ambitious. I decided to start setting monthly income goals that weren’t necessarily realistic. Realism is typically what I do.

But perhaps in this instance, realism was holding me back. What I realistically expect out of myself may be far less than what I am worth or capable of.

I calculated my dream income, divided it by twelve, and realized I wasn’t quite ready for my mindset to be that abundant.

I subtracted about $1k/mo. The goal was still crazy ambitious, but I figured if I hit it, I could raise it. I’m cognizant of the moon, but I’m also totally cool if I hit that number that’s $1k less, landing among the stars.

The person who said "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars" has no basic understanding of astronomy.

Am I hitting my income goals?

I busted out a pen and paper and drew my Lizzo-inspired income chart. Want to see how close I came to reaching my goal?

RIDICULOUSLY CLOSE!

I’m counting income as work I lined up and completed that month rather than the income I actually receive. I have far more control over the former, so it’s the metric I’m choosing to focus on.

Did making a chart really help?

Yes. It’s in a place I can see it everyday, and that did two things for me. First, it helped me remember how quickly small amounts really do add up to big sums. Each small block I colored in was its own victory, but zooming out and seeing my efforts inch me closer to my larger goal was really encouraging.

The other thing it did was really motivate me. So much so that I’m going to be using motivational lyrics of female artists moving forward to get me into action. For example, July’s chart inspired by Cardi B:

Scarcity vs Abundance Mindset

I could cut back my spending; I know how to live on next to nothing. And I’m going to take more drastic steps in that direction as I move through this process.

But for the first time, I’m embracing the idea that I can build my income to a point where I could actually meet some more of my goals rather than just continuing to slog through with the focus on extreme frugality.

I’m starting to have a little more faith that I can create my own future and truly believe it will come to pass rather than waiting for the floor to drop as I brace once again to pivot my goals to match my ever-changing surroundings.

This time around, I’m finding that establishing that confidence in myself at the income level is a step in the right direction. I’ve had more faith the money I need will be there when I need it, which can be a major concern when you’re a freelancer.

That makes me marginally less stressed so I tend to make (marginally) better financial decisions.

Those marginally better decisions start to make life marginally easier and easier still, reducing stress and upping good decision-making. Because you’ve asserted power in one area of your life, you feel like you can regain it in all the others.

This is all kind of heady. I mean, I’m only on month two of this little experiment.

But I’m curious: Have you ever struggled with abundance vs getting by vs realism? And if you created an income goal chart, which lyrics would you use to motivate yourself?

]]>https://femmefrugality.com/abundance-mindset-income-goal-charts/feed/2https://femmefrugality.com/abundance-mindset-income-goal-charts/Partying it Up for 8 Years of Blogginghttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Femmefrugality/~3/oa1tQk9l4mU/
https://femmefrugality.com/8-years-blogging/#commentsWed, 03 Jul 2019 11:58:20 +0000https://femmefrugality.com/?p=8813Eight years ago last week, I started blogging. It’s been a wild journey–one that started as just a hobby and turned into a full-time job which supports myself and my children. I am perpetually surprised by each bend in the road. Perpetually grateful for it all. And moreso this year than ever, ready to celebrateContinue Reading »

]]>Eight years ago last week, I started blogging. It’s been a wild journey–one that started as just a hobby and turned into a full-time job which supports myself and my children.

I am perpetually surprised by each bend in the road. Perpetually grateful for it all. And moreso this year than ever, ready to celebrate all the good that’s come along with the journey.

Celebrating at Solstice

A couple weeks ago, I went to the Urban Garden Party at the Mattress Factory. This year’s theme? Solstice.

It was crazy fun. We celebrated with great food, music and floral-themed drinks. We welcomed summer in the sun, in the museum itself and down in the basement where we listened to music in “Hell.”

I met Bowie in his full Labyrinth getup, a centaur and a million wood nymphs. It was a magical night, and one that encourages me to encourage you to attend all the Mattress Factory parties. You can check out more images from the event by following on Insta.

Celebrating the Content

Over the past eight years, Femme Frugality has pumped out more than 1,000 posts. For its blogiversary, I wanted to show you guys my top eight faves. They’re not necessarily the most trafficked (though some are,) but they’re the pieces I’ve felt proud of either because I know from reader feedback that they’ve directly impacted lives, or they have inspired meaningful conversation within the personal finance community.

Children, Medicaid & Autism: State-by-State Guide

This guide was something I created out of frustration. Frustration that it didn’t yet exist.

You see, when you have an Autistic child, their needs likely aren’t covered even if you have private insurance. Medicaid coverage is essential.

But Medicaid coverage for disabled children does not exist in all states. This makes where you live a huge factor impacting your financial life.

So I created a guide. Each year, I get into the nitty gritty with representatives from all 50 states and DC to ensure this guide contains the most up-to-date information for American parents of Autistic children. It has been used by both parents and various organizations in different states across the country.

Hope: The Most Valuable Commodity

There’s a lot that goes into overcoming difficult financial circumstances. But above all else, I believe there is one quality that controls all other aspects of our ability to pursue upward mobility: Hope.

Without hope we can struggle to even believe we can achieve. And while belief is hardly all that’s necessary to reach our goals, it is an essential ingredient without which our efforts are in vain.

Self-Uniting Marriage Can Save Brides Money

This is the post I have the most feedback on. Whether that feedback comes from comments or readers, the communication has confirmed that it’s helped people across the country get married according to their own belief systems, which often do not involve clergy in today’s day and age. This methodology has also saved readers money on their weddings.

While this post applied to everyone, after I wrote it a reader notified me that some states, like California, have even more legal intricacies surrounding the concept of self-uniting marriage. As a result, we’ve been able to help people in the state drill down into the exact legal issues Californians face in this arena and how to overcome them.

Defining Success: Thoughts on God & Money

As you’ll glean from the previous favorite post, I really DGAF about how anyone does or doesn’t believe in God.

But I have been known to opine on the subject from time to time. What are the ethical implications of pursuing monetary wealth? Where should it be on our priority list? We explored this and more as we defined success relative to spirituality.

Is Food Stamp Fraud Ruining Our National Budget?

Lol. No.

But that didn’t stop the lively discussion from popping off after this post.

Virginia Beach on a Dime

But one post does stand out, if only because I’m able to track how many people this particular post has helped. I get a ton of readers booking their VA Beach hotel based on this post, and it makes me so happy. Because the hotel is so cheap yet so, so comfortable, clean and right on the beach.

Plus, hot tubs.

Winning.

The Golden Rule of Budgeting

This was my first ever Rockstar Finance feature back when J$ was still running things. I wrote it in a couple minutes while I was working out of a Starbucks, and was shocked at the reception it received.

It covers a budgeting rule that will help you no matter if you use pen and paper, a spreadsheet or an app to figure out your money.

This is the Golden Rule of Budgeting. It’s crazy simple, but has helped a ton of people do better with their monthly financial goals.

The Feminist Financial Handbook

One of the great privileges of this journey has been the book offers I have received as a result. Last year, I followed through on one of those offers and wrote a tome about finances as experienced at a variety of different intersections of oppression.

Come Party with Me

Sad you missed out on the Solstice party but enjoying this one?

Then come enjoy more with me at The Best of the Burgh party on July 18, 2019!

For its 50th anniversary, Pittsburgh Magazine is hosting its Golden Anniversary Best of the Burgh Party. This Spring, they asked readers to vote for their favorite businesses in the Pittsburgh region, and this event at the casino will be to honor them.

It will also be a chance to wear all your glittery gold, sample some good eats and otherwise enjoy a good time on a Thursday evening.

The event starts at 7p, and admission normally costs $50/person. But in a joint celebration of Femme Frugality’s and Pittsburgh Magazine’s anniversaries, we’re teaming up together to offer you two (2) free tickets!

You can use the widget below to to enter through July 11, 2019 at 11:59p Eastern. Best of luck, and I hope to see you there!

]]>https://femmefrugality.com/8-years-blogging/feed/2https://femmefrugality.com/8-years-blogging/Work From Home As A Freelancer With These Online Freelancer Jobshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Femmefrugality/~3/Ur8P2wddUyA/
https://femmefrugality.com/work-from-home-as-a-freelancer-with-these-online-freelancer-jobs/#respondTue, 25 Jun 2019 14:52:07 +0000https://femmefrugality.com/?p=8808This post is brought to you and contributed by Sarah Morris. Having a job at a great company can be a fantastic experience. With a good-paying job, great people and the right environment, working outside of the home can actually be an enjoyable experience. The problem with working in an office is that you mayContinue Reading »

Having a job at a great company can be a fantastic experience. With a good-paying job, great people and the right environment, working outside of the home can actually be an enjoyable experience.

The problem with working in an office is that you may have to endure rush hour traffic to get to work. By the time you arrive, you’re already tired and stressed out. Then you get to do it all again for the commute home.

This is where working from the comfort of your home comes into play.

If you’re
looking to work from home as a freelancer, here are a few online freelancer
jobs you may consider from the get-go:

Writing

If you find satisfaction in writing on any specific topic, then you may want to consider writing as a freelance job from home. With a reliable internet connection and a laptop, you can start your own blog and use it as a portfolio to launch your new venture.

Writing can be a fantastic work-from-home opportunity. As long as you exert some effort and persistence, this online freelance job can bring in a family-supporting income. So get ready with your pitches and treat this as a significant money-making venture.

If you’re looking for other work opportunities aside from writing, you can check more online jobs here for further reference.

Virtual Assistant Work

Organizational skills are a must in virtual assistant work. If you possess these skills or have past experience in office administration, you can do a similar job in your own home.

Typically, the work of virtual assistants is to provide administrative support over the internet. Answering emails and Skype calls, taking minutes of the meeting and reports, and many more are some of the typical jobs of a virtual assistant.

Web Design and Development

With the
advent of modern technology these days, working as a web designer and developer
from the comfort of your home can be a fulfilling freelance job for anyone who
possesses creativity and a technical mind. Considering the growing number of
companies that need websites, jobs involving web design and development can
make you more money. Moreover, by becoming a freelancer, you have control over
your time, and you can get any clients you want.

Marketing and Personal Relations Job

Another profitable freelance job that you can venture into is in the field of marketing and personal relations. With a phone and an internet connection, you can fulfill the necessary tasks from your home. With just a few marketing skills, you can earn more income by becoming a marketer, manager or even a social media coordinator.

Doing Online Surveys

This is an online freelance job opportunity from home that you can work on anytime. You may be wondering why answering surveys can be a source of income. The truth is, people’s opinions and recommendations are essential to companies, especially if they want to get to know their target audiences and generate more sales. Many companies out there have taken advanatge of this need and serve as reward sites to distribute surveys to their members.

You’re unlikely to get rich doing surveys. But it is a quick way to drum up some minimal cash.

Transcription Jobs

If you’re familiar with the technical language of the legal and medical field, then you could have a bright future as a transcriptionist. This kind of online freelance job can be a fantastic way of making money from home. All you have to do is to listen to the audio recordings and write down whatever the speaker in the audio is saying. Be sure you possess excellent listening and typing skills so you can do the job with ease.

Bear in mind that less technical work will result in much lower pay.

Selling Crafts Online

You can use your love for making handmade gifts and crafts to earn more money online. Whether it’s luggage tags or knitted pants, selling crafts can be a great income opportunity you can pursue from the comfort of your own home.

A home-based job doesn’t always have to involve sitting in front of your computer. Sometimes, it’s also about sitting in front of the table doing some creative stuff, taking pictures of your products and posting them on your website. Also, selling crafts on the Web means you have to cater to your clients’ online queries, take their orders and payments, and handle the shipping for them. With this kind of job, you can work on your own time and with your own supplies.

Online Tutoring

With today’s
modern technology, teaching online can be a profitable freelance job
opportunity. For example, there are plenty of companies out there that offer
online English tutoring jobs for anyone who wants to be a freelancer. All you
need to have is a stable internet connection, computer or laptop, and basic
knowledge in English. Aside from English, you can also work as an online tutor
for any other subject you like.

Conclusion

Sometimes looking for the best online freelance job from home isn’t easy. You may have to get familiar with the kinds of home-based jobs that are in demand on the market these days. If you know what your skills, strengths, and weaknesses are, then use this article to help you find the right freelance work.